A milestone in Hindu marriage reform in India

Context:

The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 in India has not recognized Self-respect marriage, in Tamil Nadu, which in present times has had to cross hurdles such as judicial and executive interpretations.

Historical Brief

Self-respect Marriages: A self-respect marriage in Tamil Nadu, also known as "Suyamariyathai thirumanam" in Tamil, is a type of marriage ceremony that deviates from traditional Hindu marriage rituals.
The social reform movement: It is associated with the Self-Respect Movement, a socio-political and cultural movement in Tamil Nadu that emerged in the early 20th century.
Raised voice: The movement was primarily championed by social reformer E.V. Ramasamy, commonly known as Periyar.

Non-Ritual Hindu Marriages in Tamil Nadu

Early Resistance to Non-Ritual Marriages: In the 1950s, Madras High Court invalidated non-ritual Hindu marriages, labeling them illegitimate for not following traditional rituals. This challenged Dravidian ideals of companionate marriages, women's rights, and inter-caste unions.
Demand for Legal Recognition: Dravidian leaders sought recognition of non-religious marriages under Hindu law during the drafting of the Hindu Code Bill. However, the Act recognized only a few reformed marriages, leaving self-respect marriages in Tamil Nadu unsupported.
Legalization of Self-Respect Marriages: The struggle culminated in the Hindu Marriage (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act 1967, which validated non-ritual Hindu marriages, challenging Brahminical interpretations.

Contemporary Challenges

Union Government's Stance: In 2017, the Union Ministry for Social Justice refused recognition of Section 7 of the Act, undermining inter-caste marriages.
Supreme Court Intervention: Recently, the Supreme Court upheld the validity of Suyamariyathai marriage in Tamil Nadu, emphasizing its consensual nature.
Madras High Court's Progressive Approach: Despite challenges, the Madras High Court has played a significant role in advocating gender rights in marriage, transcending other Indian courts. This indicates the positive impact of legal reforms for women in Tamil Nadu.

You must be logged in to get greater insights.

Shrinking the safety net

Polity & Governance Government Schemes

Caring for the old

Economy Growth and Development

‘Five Eyes’ intelligence alliance

International Relations International Organization

Northern Zonal Council

Polity & Governance Constitutional & Non-Constitutional Bodies

Renewal of Multi-System Operators (MSOs) Registration

Polity & Governance Government Schemes

India Ageing Report 2023